Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

Next up was game time. Everyone put on the vests provided by the show and split into two teams: one team for the film cast and crew, and the other for the hosts and regular guests.

The first game was the classic game of charades. As the film’s leads, Joanna Kennedy and Owen Jennings were the first to represent their team. The two of them would act while the others guessed.

Joanna Kennedy flipped over the clue card, and the corner of her mouth twitched when she saw what they had to act out.

’How was she supposed to act out ”Twin masterminds”?’

The audience saw the card too and burst out laughing. One person shouted loud enough for it to carry to the stage, ”But that’s just you two!”

Joanna Kennedy: ”.........”

Owen Jennings heard it too. His eyes shot to Joanna Kennedy before he forced his gaze back to the card.

Joanna Kennedy had been prepared for a difficult clue, but this still left her speechless. She exchanged a look with Owen Jennings, and they both decided to move on to the next one.

The second clue was much simpler. Their performance was meticulous, and their team guessed it right almost immediately. In the end, they managed to get five clues right within the three-minute time limit.

The host’s team had perfect chemistry. Being savvy, they held back a bit, ultimately guessing six clues correctly and beating the film crew’s team by a narrow margin.

After a few more rounds, it was time for the final segment. The show had prepared a ”wishing platform” for the cast and crew, where each member would go up to share a wish.

Director Archer went up first. ”I hope everyone loves *Falling Osmanthus*! See you all at the movies on November 30th!”

”Yes!” The host applauded, and the audience joined in with enthusiastic cheers, promising their support.

The next few veteran actors who went up shared similar wishes, all hoping the movie would be a box office hit and win some awards.

When it was Leah Shaw’s turn, Joanna Kennedy noticed the other woman glance at her. Though she looked away quickly, Joanna still caught the flash of contempt in her eyes.

Joanna Kennedy frowned. A bad premonition flickered through her mind.

And just as she’d suspected, Leah Shaw got on the platform, first wishing for the movie to be a box office smash before abruptly changing the subject. ”I also have to thank Director Archer for giving me the opportunity to play this character.”

Her tone was full of gratitude. She paused, then continued, ”Though it was a little trying during some of the scenes, it was a minor issue. I understand that young people can be impetuous; I was that age once, too. Ultimately, I just hope everyone focuses on the movie itself.”

With that, Leah Shaw bowed and stepped off the platform, seemingly oblivious to the dead silence that had fallen over the audience.

Joanna Kennedy could feel the odd looks directed her way—some probing, others filled with pity and sympathy.

Leah Shaw hadn’t named anyone, but it was obvious to everyone that the ”young person” she was talking about was Joanna Kennedy.

After all, most of her scenes were with Joanna Kennedy. She barely had any with the other actors.

Difficult scenes, impetuous youth—she was blatantly, and yet covertly, saying that Joanna Kennedy’s acting skills were poor and that she had dragged down Leah, her co-star.

The atmosphere on stage grew awkward. The director’s face soured for a moment, and the others seemed taken aback by Leah Shaw’s hostile remarks.

Yet Joanna Kennedy, the target of the passive-aggressive jab, remained perfectly composed. A smile still graced her beautiful, innocent face, as if she hadn’t even noticed she was being targeted.

The host felt a pang of sympathy and quickly tried to change the subject with some jokes. Joanna Kennedy was supposed to be next, but it was clearly not the right moment. The host announced, ”Owen, you’re up.”

Owen Jennings stepped onto the stage. After a moment of silence, he said, ”I learned a lot on set. I feel very fortunate to have been able to star in Director Archer’s film, and I feel even more fortunate to have met a partner like Joanna Kennedy.”

As everyone watched in astonishment, Owen Jennings’s gaze fell upon the girl below the stage. Meeting her placid eyes, he said slowly, ”I hope I’ll have the chance to work with Joanna Kennedy again. She is the best actress I’ve ever worked with. Bar none.”

The best actress. Bar none. . .

It was a definitive, unambiguous, and singular praise, almost tantamount to a confession. The moment he said it, not only were the people on stage stunned, but the audience fell silent as well.

He just said it, just like that? To publicly support Joanna Kennedy, he really wasn’t afraid of offending people. The crowd exchanged complicated glances. . .

’The host was getting a headache. What was wrong with everyone today? Did none of them have a filter? Didn’t they know this show was famous for not editing things out?’

’This is all going to air!’

Joanna Kennedy was stunned for a moment herself. She hadn’t expected Owen Jennings to say something like that. Even though she knew his intentions were good, she still frowned.

’What a pain. . .’

Yes, to her, Owen Jennings’s words were nothing but trouble. It was easy to imagine what would happen when this aired. Forget the shipping fans; even their solo stans would go ballistic.

She really, really didn’t want to get entangled with anyone from the Jennings family again.

After the host managed to liven up the atmosphere, Joanna Kennedy went up to the wishing platform. Ignoring the gossipy anticipation in everyone’s eyes—knowing that any explanation would just make it seem like she was taking the bait and had a guilty conscience—she simply offered a wish for the box office and stepped down.

When the recording ended, Director Archer made a point of finding her. ”Jennings, don’t you worry,” he promised. ”After the show airs, if the netizens misunderstand you, I’ll post on Weibo and set the record straight.”

The director was frowning, clearly quite angry himself. Joanna Kennedy didn’t refuse the offer. ”Then I’ll thank you in advance, Director Archer,” she said with a smile.

’If Director Archer personally came to her defense, all the rumors would fall apart on their own.’

As she was leaving the television studio, she just so happened to run into Leah Shaw. When their two groups met, Joanna didn’t yield the path this time. Instead, she walked right past without giving Leah Shaw a single glance.

Respecting your elders depended on the person. Clearly, Leah Shaw didn’t fall into the ”elder” category that deserved her respect.

Watching the young woman’s retreating back, Leah Shaw felt completely humiliated and was so incensed she could barely breathe. Her assistant immediately rushed forward to placate her with a few compliments.

Julie was driving a new company car, one that Fullstar had assigned to them. She’d said that Joanna Kennedy’s status in the industry was different now, so she needed a car to match.

Joanna Kennedy, used to her white Volkswagen, felt a little out of place. She wrinkled her nose. ”Did you spray perfume in here?”

”You noticed, Jojo?” Julie sounded delighted. ”It’s a new perfume I bought—cost me a whole month’s salary! It’s just for spraying in your car. You know how they say big stars smell good wherever they go? This way, you’ll be fragrant the moment you step out of the car. Joanna’s Fans will love you even more!”

Julie’s eyes grew brighter as she spoke, her face alight with excitement. Joanna Kennedy just shook her head helplessly and swallowed the words she had been about to say.

The truth was, she was prone to carsickness, and the perfume was making it worse. But the thought of disappointing Julie made her decide she could tolerate it.

Joanna Kennedy said, ”I’ll reimburse you for it.”